Thales Navigation Mobile Mapper User Manual
MobileMapper
™
User Manual
www.thalesnavigation.com
THALES NAVIGATION
Table of Contents
Introduction to the MobileMapper System......................................................... 1
MobileMapper Field Unit............................................................................ 3
Keypad Description ............................................................................................ 3
Installing the Batteries .................................................................................. 4
Turning Power On/Off .................................................................................. 4
Setting the Screen Backlight......................................................................... 5
Setting the Units............................................................................................ 5
Getting a Position Fix ...................................................................................5
Initialization for First-Time Use......................................................................... 6
GIS Data Logging Functions.............................................................................. 9
Feature Libraries ...........................................................................................9
Logging New GPS/GIS Data...................................................................... 10
Creating a Job and selecting a Feature Library........................................................10
Logging and Describing a Point Feature..................................................................10
Logging and Describing a Line Feature...................................................................11
Logging and Describing an Area Feature ................................................................13
Repeating a Feature..................................................................................................14
Nesting a Feature......................................................................................................15
Offsetting a Point Feature ........................................................................................16
Offsetting a Line or Area Feature ............................................................................17
Logging GIS Data on a Preset Grid Network ..........................................................18
Changing the Parameters of a Grid Network Before Logging GIS Data.................20
Closing a Job............................................................................................................21
GPS Accuracy............................................................................................. 22
GPS Quality Indicators ............................................................................... 22
Revisiting and Updating Existing GPS/GIS Jobs ....................................... 23
General Procedure....................................................................................................23
Repositioning a Point Feature ..................................................................................25
Adding More Features and Attributes to the Job .....................................................25
Closing the Job.........................................................................................................25
Navigation Screens........................................................................................... 26
Map Screen ................................................................................................. 26
Compass Screen .......................................................................................... 31
Large Data Screen....................................................................................... 32
Position Screens.......................................................................................... 33
Road Screen ................................................................................................ 35
Data Screen ................................................................................................. 36
Speedometer Screen.................................................................................... 37
Satellite Status Screen................................................................................. 38
Customizing Data Fields on Navigation Screens........................................ 38
GOTO Function................................................................................................ 39
Purpose........................................................................................................ 39
Destination Point Types .............................................................................. 39
Selecting a GIS Feature as the Destination Point .......................................39
Selecting a POI as the Destination Point .................................................... 40
Saving Your Current Position as a Waypoint ............................................. 41
Creating a Waypoint With the Map Cursor ................................................ 41
Editing/Deleting a User Waypoint.............................................................. 42
Routes ............................................................................................................... 43
GOTO Route ............................................................................................... 43
Multi-leg Route........................................................................................... 43
i
Creating a Multi-leg Route.......................................................................................43
Creating a Multi-leg Route from the Track History .................................................44
Activating/deactivating a Multi-Leg Route ..............................................................44
Other Functions Tied to Routes................................................................................45
MENU button ................................................................................................... 46
Open Job ..................................................................................................... 48
New Job....................................................................................................... 48
Mark ............................................................................................................ 48
GOTO.......................................................................................................... 49
Routes.......................................................................................................... 49
Setup Menu ................................................................................................. 49
Initialize.................................................................................................................... 49
Select Map................................................................................................................50
Map Setup.................................................................................................................50
Nav Screens..............................................................................................................50
Coord System ...........................................................................................................51
Map Datum...............................................................................................................52
Elev Mode ................................................................................................................52
Time Format.............................................................................................................53
Units .........................................................................................................................53
Alarms ......................................................................................................................54
North Reference .......................................................................................................55
Daylight Saving........................................................................................................55
Power Off Timer ......................................................................................................56
Contrast ....................................................................................................................56
Light Timer...............................................................................................................56
Beeper.......................................................................................................................57
Clear Memory...........................................................................................................57
NMEA ......................................................................................................................58
Baud Rate .................................................................................................................58
Power Key................................................................................................................59
Simulate....................................................................................................................59
Language ..................................................................................................................60
Delete Files ................................................................................................. 61
About........................................................................................................... 61
MobileMapper Office Software................................................................ 63
Introduction....................................................................................................... 63
Installing MobileMapper Office....................................................................... 64
Launching MobileMapper Office ..................................................................... 64
MobileMapper Office Main Window...............................................................65
Map Display Area............................................................................................. 66
Controlling the Content of the Map Display Area...................................... 66
Making Measurements on the Map Display Area....................................... 68
Deleting Features ........................................................................................ 68
Working on Job Files........................................................................................ 69
Creating a New Job..................................................................................... 69
Connecting the Handheld to the PC............................................................ 70
Uploading a Job to the Handheld................................................................ 71
Downloading a Completed Job from the Handheld.................................... 72
Downloading a job file.............................................................................................73
Deleting a file from the handheld............................................................................. 73
Viewing the Content of a Job...................................................................... 74
Exporting Jobs in GIS Formats................................................................... 75
Using the Feature Library Editor...................................................................... 76
Introduction................................................................................................. 76
Creating a New, Standalone Feature Library File....................................... 78
Inserting New Features to the Feature Library ........................................... 79
ii
Defining Feature Attributes ........................................................................ 80
Defining Attribute Values........................................................................... 81
Renaming a Feature, Defining its Representation on the Map ................... 82
Deleting Features, Attributes or Attribute Values ...................................... 83
Saving a Feature Library............................................................................. 84
Attaching a Feature Library to a Job........................................................... 84
Importing a Feature Library from a Job or GIS File................................... 85
Uploading a standalone feature library file................................................. 85
Grid Mapper Utility .......................................................................................... 86
Introduction................................................................................................. 86
Grid Features vs. Grid Points...................................................................... 86
Setting up a Grid Feature in a Feature Library file..................................... 87
Editing the Grid Properties ......................................................................... 87
Uploading the Grid Feature to the Receiver ............................................... 89
Using the Waypoint/Route Editor .................................................................... 90
Introduction................................................................................................. 90
Placing Waypoints ...................................................................................... 90
Creating Waypoints from the Waypoint Table........................................... 91
Finding a Waypoint on the Map ................................................................. 92
Deleting Waypoints..................................................................................... 92
Building a Route ......................................................................................... 93
Background Maps............................................................................................. 94
Introduction................................................................................................. 94
Creating a New Background Map Project .................................................. 96
Adding Layers to a Background Map Project............................................. 97
Changing the Order of Layers..................................................................... 98
Removing Layers ........................................................................................ 98
Changing the Visual Aspect of Layers ....................................................... 99
Building the Background Map.................................................................... 99
Selecting a Background Map for Display................................................. 100
Setting a Map Region................................................................................ 101
Uploading a Background Map .................................................................. 101
Coordinate System.......................................................................................... 103
Introduction to Coordinate Systems and Datums .....................................103
Coordinate Systems in MobileMapper Office .......................................... 107
Selecting a Pre-defined Coordinate System.............................................. 108
Selecting an existing Geodetic system...................................................................108
Selecting an existing Grid system..........................................................................108
Defining the height system.....................................................................................109
Enabling the chosen coordinate system .................................................................109
Creating a New Coordinate System .......................................................... 109
Creating a new Geodetic system............................................................................109
Creating a new Grid system...................................................................................110
Print Function ................................................................................................. 112
Appendices ................................................................................................113
Specifications.................................................................................................. 113
Installing a Memory Card............................................................................... 114
Connecting MobileMapper to an External Device ......................................... 115
Connecting MobileMapper to an External Power Source.............................. 116
Glossary .......................................................................................................... 117
Index ............................................................................................................... 119
iii
iv
Introduction to the MobileMapper System
The MobileMapper system from Thales Navigation is com-
posed of two main elements: the MobileMapper receiver and
MobileMapper Office software running on a PC-type computer.
The MobileMapper receiver is a handheld navigation and
positioning device that enables you to describe the features
being mapped and then format the data so that later it can be
uploaded to a GIS. It offers an easy-to-use and easy-to-deploy solution for general mapping and for asset management.
MobileMapper combines all the navigation capabilities of a
recreational handheld with feature attributing software to
support GIS data collection in the field.
The MobileMapper receiver and its main functions are fully
described in Section 1 in this manual.
MobileMapper Office is an office software suite that interfaces the MobileMapper receiver with your GIS system. Mo-
bileMapper Office allows you to prepare GIS jobs, feature
libraries and waypoint files, build background maps from
GIS data files and manage the information logged in the field
(upload/download functions).
The MobileMapper Office software and its mains functions
are fully described in Section 2 in this manual.
All functions relative to data exchange between MobileMap-
per and MobileMapper Office are also detailed in Section 2.
Finally, the Appendices section in this manual covers a number of topics such as product specifications, SD card installation, connectors & cables and glossary of terms used.
Please note that a printed Getting Started Guide is included
in your MobileMapper system. This short, multilingual
guide, which is presented in a tutorial form, is intended to
help you complete your first job. Practising with this guide
will allow you to understand the essentials of the system.
1
2
The scrolling button
has three different
functions:
• It is used to move the
cursor in the chosen
direction, from a data
field to another, from an
option in a menu to the
previous or next option.
• In a highlighted field,
the left/right arrow
moves the cursor back-
ward/forward; The up/
down arrow increments/
decrements the high-
lighted figure or string.
• On the Map screen, a
navigation screen, this
button allows you to
switch to cursor mode
and then to move the cursor in ALL directions, not
only the left, right, up
and down directions.
1. MobileMapper Field Unit
Keypad Description
Under the screen you will see 8 buttons located around a
large oval “scrolling” button with 4 directional arrows on it.
IN/OUT: Use these buttons to zoom in and out
when viewing a screen
with a map displayed.
ESC: Takes you back to
the previous screen without effecting any changes.
NAV: Takes you to the
various navigation
screens where you can locate yourself and navigate
to waypoints and GIS features.
LOG: Lets you create a
ESC
NAV
new job or open an existing one. With a job and a
LOG
feature already open,
pressing LOG takes you to
the feature attribute screen. With an open job, but no open
feature, pressing LOG takes you to the feature selection
screen.
ENTER: Use this button to accept highlighted input and to
initiate various unit functions.
MENU: Provides access to a variety of functions such as setting up and initializing the receiver, selecting targets to navigate to and various GIS logging features.
PWR button: Turns on and off the unit. Also turns the backlight on if you hold it down for two seconds (until the backlight level changes).
GPS antenna (inside the housing)
Display
Screen
IN
Scrolling button
OUT
ENTER
MENU
PWR
3
Battery Life
You can expect up to 16
operating hours from 2
Li-ion AA batteries with
the backlight turned off.
Using the backlight will
shorten the battery life
significantly. With the
backlight on continuously, you can expect
about up to 8 hours of
usage from the two Li-ion
batteries that came with
your MobileMapper.
The very first time you
use your MobileMapper,
or after erasing all the
data from memory, the
Power-On procedure is
longer than described
here because the unit
having no position in
memory, initialization is
needed to help the unit
track satellites (see 1st-
time use on page 6).
Power Down Screen
Installing the Batteries
MobileMapper uses two AA
batteries that are installed
from the back through the battery cover. To remove the battery cover, push the two
buttons on the cover fully to
the left and lift the battery
cover away from the receiver.
Insert the new batteries as
shown opposite, making sure
that the batteries are installed with the correct polarity. Replace the cover and push the two buttons fully to the right.
Verify that the cover is locked in place.
Turning Power On/Off
In the Power-On procedure described below, it is assumed
that the unit has already been used in a working session and
so position data is available from the former working session
to help MobileMapper compute its position.
• To turn the unit on, press the PWR button. The Start-up
screen appears, followed by the Database Copyright
screen and the Agreement screen. After accepting the
warning information, the last navigation screen you were
viewing at the end of the last session will be displayed.
If the last navigation screen view was the Map screen,
the last zoom scale setting will be used.
• To turn the unit off, press the PWR button. The Power
Down screen is displayed.
Doing nothing will turn off the unit at the end of the
countdown sequence.
Pressing the PWR button again will turn off the unit
immediately.
Pressing ESC will cancel the Power Down sequence.
4
To prevent accidently
turning the backlight on
and leaving it on, the unit
will turn the backlight off
when there have been no
buttons pressed for 4
minutes. Pressing any
button will turn the back-
light back on in this
instance. You can change
the time delay for the
backlight using the Light
Timer option in the Setup
menu (see page 56).
Units Screen
Setting the Screen Backlight
The screen backlight can be set to one of three levels (low,
high or off). At power on, the screen backlight is set to high
level. Follow the sequence below to choose another level:
- Hold down the PWR button for 2 seconds : Backlight
drops down to low level
- Hold down the PWR button again for 2 seconds: Backlight turns off.
- Hold down the PWR button again for 2 seconds: Backlight comes back to high-level illumination.
Using the backlight makes the screen display easier to see,
but it also drains the batteries more quickly.
Setting the Units
To change the units that MobileMapper will use:
- Press MENU. Use the up/down arrows to highlight
and press ENTER
- Use the up/down arrows to highlight
Units and press
ENTER.
- Use the up/down arrows to highlight the set of units you
want and press ENTER. Press ESC to return to the last
screen viewed
Setup
Holding the unit
You can observe the signal strength and the sat-
ellites being used on the
Satellite Status screen
(see page 8).
Getting a Position Fix
The unit is designed to fit comfortably in your hand. Hold
the MobileMapper in the palm of your hand with the antenna
pointing towards the sky.
MobileMapper’s antenna needs to have a relatively unobstructed view of the sky. This allows the unit to choose from
all satellites currently available.
If the view of the sky is poor due to large cliffs or buildings,
heavy foliage or other obstructions, the satellite signals can
be blocked and the receiver may take longer to compute a
position fix.
5
Skipping Initialization
You can skip the initialization process by pressing the NAV key anytime
after selecting the lan-
guage you want
MobileMapper to use
and accepting the agree-
ment. If MobileMapper is
able to collect satellite
data (i.e., have a clear
view of the sky) it will
begin to self-initialize.
This could take anywhere
from 3 to 14 minutes to
compute its position,
depending on how many
weeks have elapsed since
it was last used.
Initialization for First-Time Use
MobileMapper will walk you through the process of setting
up the receiver for first time use. This procedure is commonly referred to as “Initializing the Receiver”. The purpose of
this initialization is to provide MobileMapper with a general
knowledge of its approximate location.
This may seem a little confusing at first as why does a device
that is used to compute its position need to know where it’s
at? MobileMapper uses information from the GPS satellites
that orbit the Earth and if MobileMapper has an approximate
idea as to its location, it will refer to the almanac it has in
memory to select what satellites are overhead. From this information, MobileMapper can then select the satellites that
will give it the best information for computing its location.
Under normal use, MobileMapper will save the last position
it calculated and use that position the next time it is turned
on. However, when MobileMapper is new (or when memory
has been completely erased), it has no last position information. Thus, MobileMapper can either start polling the satellites to see which ones are overhead or you can provide it
with your approximate location allowing MobileMapper to
begin computing the initial position, known as “first fix.”
Start-up, Copyright &
Language Screens
6
Follow these instructions to initialize MobileMapper:
1. Turn MobileMapper on by pressing the PWR button. The
unit turns on and displays the start-up screen, followed
by the Database Copyright screen and the language
selection screen.
2. Select your language using the up/down arrow to move
the cursor to this language. With the desired language
highlighted, press the ENTER button. The Warning
screen is then displayed for about 10 seconds.
Region & Area Screens
Time & Date Screens
3. If you understand and agree to the warning presented,
press ENTER before the 10 seconds have elapsed. Otherwise, the unit will shut off. A message box is then displayed indicating that the unit needs to be initialized.
4. Press ENTER. The unit asks you to select your region
and area. Use the up/down arrows to highlight your general region and press ENTER. Again, use the up/down
arrows to highlight your area and press ENTER.
5. The cursor appears in the
Time field, waiting for you to
input your local time. Please enter the time in 0-12 hr.
format, not in 0-24 hr. format. Set your local time using
the arrow keys as follows: use the up arrow to increment
the highlighted figure, or the down arrow to decrement it.
Then press the right arrow to highlight the next figure.
Set this figure now using the up or down arrow, etc. Be
sure that you set the AM/PM indicator. When the time is
correct, press ENTER.
The last piece of information needed is the date. As
above, using the arrow keys, enter the present date and
then press ENTER.
All the information that the unit needs to speed up the
process of computing its first fix has been entered and
the
Done field is highlighted.
7
Satellite Signal
Stre ngth Cha rt:
Clear bars indicate that
the unit is starting to get
information from satel-
lites. Solid bars indicate
that the satellites are
being used to compute
your position.
Satellite Position
Graph:
The 2 circles indicate
satellite elevation as seen
from your current posi-
tion. The outer circle rep-
resents the horizon and
the inner circle repre-
sents 45° from the hori-
zon. The center of the
circle is 90° from the
horizon, or directly over-
head.
6. To complete the initialization process, press ENTER
again. The Satellite Status screen is displayed and
MobileMapper begins acquiring the data from satellites.
Watching the bars appear and turn solid on the screen,
you can progressively see the unit lock onto satellites.
Satellite Positions
in the Sky & Numbers
(W for WAAS
or EGNOS)
Satellite Position Graph
Satellite Signal Strength Chart
Battery Life Indicator
Once the first position fix has been computed, the Map
screen is automatically displayed. This screen shows a
map of the area where you are located. Your current position is represented by a triangle located at the center of
the screen (see also page 26).
Initialization is now complete and you can proceed to
your job.
8
A feature library is a
hierarchical structure
that guides you through
the description process
so you know you will
describe thoroughly and
quickly each feature you
visit. You will not have to
attributes of each feature
tlight” point feature, as
Feature libraries are cre-
Library Editor module in
remember what
you should record: the
feature library will tell
Example of a “stree-
may be described in a
feature library
List Attribute
of streetlight
Condition
# of bulbs
Closest
Street
Address
ated using the Feature
MobileMapper Office.
attributes
values
- Good
- Needs repair
- Needs paint
Enter
numeric value
Typ e in
address
you!
GIS Data Logging Functions
Feature Libraries
Feature libraries contain lists of features that you should be
visiting during your field sessions.
Features are four types:
- Point feature: The geometrical representation of this feature is a point. Logging this type of feature requires static
occupation at the point.
- Line feature: The geometrical representation of this feature is a line. Logging this type of feature requires that
you move along this line.
- Area feature: The geometrical representation of this feature is an area. Logging this type of feature requires that
you move along its contour or you make several static
occupations if it is a regular area (with straight sides).
- Grid feature: The geometrical representation of this feature is an array of evenly-distributed waypoints.
MobileMapper will guide you to each of these waypoints
where you should enter a measurement performed at this
point.
Each feature also has a number of attributes. There are three
categories of attributes:
- Menu style where the attribute values are words or
phrases that you pick off a list (e.g. Condition attribute
opposite)
- Numeric style where you select a number within a specified range (e.g. # of Bulbs attribute opposite)
- Text style where you type in a note that can contain both
numbers and letters (e.g. Closest Street Address attribute
opposite)
You can input as many as five feature libraries into MobileMapper. Just remember that you can use only one feature
library for logging data to an individual job.
9
Entering a job name
The keyboard is fitted
with special keys such as
the CLEAR key to clear
the job name field, the
Shift key to switch
between upper and
lower-case, the back-
space key to delete the
last entered character
and a space key.
Note that a “Generic”
library containing
default features is cre-
ated in MobileMapper at
power on. This library
contains a point feature,
a line feature, an area
feature and a grid fea-
ture. Each of these fea-
tures has a single text-
style attribute. Use this
library only as “backup”
library.
MobileMapper uses a
fixed, time-based log-
ging interval (1 second)
when you log a point feature. The logging interval
parameter cannot be
accessed when you log a
point feature.
Logging New GPS/GIS Data
Prior to starting logging GIS data, be sure MobileMapper is
computing your position when you stand near the first feature you want to log.
Press NAV until you display the Map screen. If an arrow is
displayed at the center of the Map screen and you can see
that your position on the screen is the expected one, then you
can start your job. Follow the instructions below to log GIS
features.
1. Creating a Job and selecting a Feature Library
- Press the LOG button
- Select the
The screen displays the
should enter the name of the new job. A keyboard is
displayed underneath to let you enter this name.
To use the keyboard, press the arrow keys to move
the cursor over the keyboard. For example, if the job
name is “JB010”, highlight “J” using the arrow keys
and press ENTER. Then select “B” and press
ENTER, etc.
- When you have finished entering the name, highlight
the
screen is then displayed listing the feature libraries
stored in MobileMapper
- Use the down/up arrow to highlight the library you
want to work from and press ENTER. The screen
now lists all the features available from the selected
feature library.
2. Logging and Describing a Point Feature
- Choose the type of feature you want to log from this
list. You can tell by the name of this feature whether
it is a point feature, a line feature or an area feature.
- Highlight a point feature (you are supposed to be near
one of these features) and press ENTER. This starts
feature logging.
Create New Job option and press ENTER.
Job Name field in which you
OK key on the screen and press ENTER. A new
10
Logging screen
The Logging screen also
displays the time elapsed
since you started logging at this point fea-
ture, the number of
satellites currently
received and the current
value of PDOP (see also
page 22).
If you start logging a new
feature and you realize
you this is a mistake, then
you can delete the new
feature being logged by
pressing MENU and
selecting Delete <fea-
ture name>.
Deleting features only
applies to new features
being logged, not to fea-
tures already logged.
The Logging screen is now displayed where you can
see the list of attributes pertaining to this feature. You
will now enter the “Description” phase of the feature
- With the first attribute highlighted, press ENTER and
choose the right attribute value describing the feature
near you and press ENTER. This takes you back to
the Logging screen.
- Highlight the next attribute in the list and repeat the
previous step. Repeat this step until all the attributes
have been properly described.
“Describing” the feature only takes a few seconds.
By the time you are done with the feature description,
the feature’s GPS position will probably have been
saved in the job. You can also stay more time on the
feature to let the receiver determine several positions.
This will give an even more accurate position for the
feature as MobileMapper will average all the GPS
positions it has computed on the feature.
- To stop logging the feature, on the Logging screen,
use the down arrow to highlight the
Close field and
press ENTER. This takes you back to the Feature List
screen
- Move to the next feature and resume the above
instructions to log this feature.
3. Logging and Describing a Line Feature
Basically, you use the same procedure as when you log a
point feature (see 2. above). There are however two differences when you log a line feature:
- You need to define a logging interval when you start
logging the feature
- And then you are supposed to move from the beginning to the end of the line feature before stopping the
logging.
These differences are explained below.
11
Selecting the logging
interval option
Logging screen
The Logging screen also
displays the distance
traveled since you
started logging the line
feature, the number of
satellites currently
received and the current
value of PDOP (see also
page 22).
After highlighting a line feature from the Feature List
screen (for example a road) and pressing ENTER,
MobileMapper starts logging GPS positions from the
position where you are. The first time you log a line area,
and then every time you think this is necessary:
- Press MENU, highlight
Logging Interval and press
ENTER. Two options are then prompted:
By Time: Select this option when you want
MobileMapper to log a new GPS position at regular
intervals of time regardless of the distance traveled
since the last position logged. After highlighting this
option, press ENTER, choose a time interval from the
list and press ENTER. This takes you back to the
Logging screen where you can see the list of
attributes pertaining to the feature.
By Distance: Select this option when you want
MobileMapper to log a new GPS position only after
you have moved by a certain distance since the last
position logged. After highlighting this option, press
ENTER, choose a distance interval from the list and
press ENTER. This takes you back to the Logging
screen where you can see the list of attributes pertaining to the feature.
- Like with a point feature, describe the feature by
describing the different attributes pertaining to the
feature
- When the description is finished, you can start walk-
ing along the line feature
- When you arrive at the end of the line feature, with
MobileMapper still displaying the Logging screen,
highlight the
Close field at the bottom of the screen
and press ENTER to stop logging the feature.
12
Irregular area
Regular area
Logging screen
The Logging screen also
displays the current
value of area measured
since you started log-
ging the feature, the
number of satellites cur-
rently received and the
current value of PDOP
(see also page 22).
4. Logging and Describing an Area Feature
Basically, you use the same procedure as when you log a
line feature, especially regarding the need for defining a
logging interval (see 3. above).
What is new when you log an area feature is that you can
use one of the following two methods:
- The first method should be used when contours of
areas are irregular. This method is similar to logging
a line area in that you have to move along the contour, but you also have to come back to the start point
so that MobileMapper can accurately measure the
area.
- The second method applies to areas with regular contours, i.e. those with straight sides. With such areas,
you just have to go to each corner of the area, make
static occupation there and pause the logging between
static occupations. MobileMapper will deduce the
area after you log the last corner and you close the
feature.
Use the same procedure as on page 11 when you choose
the first method.
When the shape of the area allows you to use the second
method, do the following after arriving at one of the corners and with the Attribute List displayed on your
MobileMapper:
- Select the name of the area feature from the list of
features and press ENTER. MobileMapper starts logging the area feature.
- Choose a time-based logging interval (see explanations given for a line area on page 12). This takes you
back to the Logging screen where the list of attributes
for the feature is displayed
- Describe each attribute by selecting or entering the
appropriate attribute value for each of them. (Note
that you have to do this only once, not on each corner
of the area.)
13
Selecting the Pause
Park option
Selecting the Repeat
Feature option
By the time you are done with the description,
MobileMapper will probably have logged the GPS
position of the corner.
- Now, press MENU, highlight
Pause <feature name> and
press ENTER. This pauses the logging of the feature.
- Move to the next corner of the area where you can
now resume logging the feature
- To do this, press MENU, highlight
name>
and press ENTER. This resumes the logging.
Resume <feature
- Resume the previous three steps until all the corners
of the area have been visited.
- After logging the GPS position of the last corner,
highlight
Close at the bottom of the screen and press
ENTER. This closes the logging of the area feature.
5. Repeating a Feature
If you close a feature and want to log the location of
another feature of the same type and with an identical
description, use Mobile Mapper’s Repeat Feature function.
- After closing a feature, MobileMapper takes you back to
the Feature List screen. Then do the following:
- Move to the next similar feature you want to log
- Then press MENU, highlight
Repeat Feature and press
ENTER. This starts feature logging. Note that the
feature has the same attribute description as the
former one
- After logging the GPS position(s) of this feature,
highlight the
Close field and press ENTER to close
the feature.
14
6. Nesting a Feature
When you are logging GPS positions to a feature, you
may find another feature that you also want to log.
Rather than log the entire feature and come back to
record this other feature, you can simply pause the feature being logged, log the other feature, close it and
resume logging the first feature.
Logging one feature while you have paused another feature is called “nesting.” You can nest any feature, point
line or area, into any line or area feature. Its does not
make sense to nest a feature into a point feature.
Nesting is particularly useful when you are mapping
things such as a road with streetlamps along the route or
a shoreline with stretches of erosion along it and the
locations of certain habitats.
Assuming you are logging a line feature and the Logging
screen is displayed, do the following, for example to nest
a point feature:
- Press MENU, highlight
Nest Feature and press
ENTER. This pauses the logging of the line feature.
- Move to the location of the feature you want to nest
- In the Feature List screen now displayed, highlight
the feature you want to nest and press ENTER
- Describe the attributes of the feature as you would
normally do
-Highlight
Close at the bottom of the screen and press
ENTER. This closes the nested feature and takes you
back to the Logging screen of the paused feature
- Press MENU, highlight
Resume <feature name> and
press ENTER. This takes you back to the Logging
screen from which you can normally finish the logging of this feature.
15
Point Offset screen
If you do not have a com-
pass, you can use
MobileMapper’s Com-
pass screen (see also
page 31) to determine the
bearing to the offset fea-
ture. If you have been
moving for 5 to 10 sec-
onds along a straight
line, the Compass screen
will tell you your bearing. You can use this to
determine the bearing to
the offset feature. CAU-
TION! The receiver can-
not determine direction
while stationary.
Visual estimation for
horz. & vert. distances is
usually good enough in
terms of accuracy.
7. Offsetting a Point Feature
Sometimes the feature you want to put on the map is in
area of poor GPS reception or is not accessible. This is
when you can map the feature using the offset utility. By
combining the receiver’s position with the bearing and
distance to the feature, MobileMapper will automatically
calculate and record the position of the feature.
To input an offset for a point feature, assuming the Feature List screen is now displayed, do the following:
- Highlight one of the listed point features available
from the selected feature library and press ENTER
- Press MENU, highlight
Offset and press ENTER. This
displays the Point Offset screen on which you should
enter the following parameters:
Bearing: Compass direction to the feature from your
current position. You need a compass to measure this
angle (see also opposite). To input a value for
Bearing,
press ENTER and increment or decrement the highlighted number using the up/down arrows. To edit
another digit, use the left/right arrows. When you are
done, press ENTER again. Press the down arrow to
move the cursor to the next field.
Horz. Distance: Horizontal distance to the feature from
your current position. Enter a value for
as described above for
Bearing. When you are done,
Horz. Distance
press ENTER again.
Vert. Distance: Vertical distance to the feature from
your current position (“0” if the feature and yourself
are at the same elevation -on a flat area). Enter a
value for
Vert. Distance as described above for Bearing.
When you are done, press ENTER again.
- Then press ESC to return to the Logging screen. This
writes the offset into memory, but you can edit it later
if you like by going through the same process. If you
close the feature and return to the Map screen, you
will see that the feature is offset from your position in
the middle of the screen.
16
Line or Area Offset
screen
Line Area
On the left On the right
Visual estimation for
horz. & vert. distances is
usually good enough in
terms of accuracy.
8. Offsetting a Line or Area Feature
For the same reasons as a point feature (see previous
page), you may need to use the offset utility to map a line
or area feature. By combining the receiver’s position
with the direction and the distance to the feature,
MobileMapper will automatically calculate and record
the location of the feature.
To input an offset for a line or area feature, assuming the
Feature List screen is now displayed, do the following:
- Highlight one of the features available from the open
feature library and press ENTER.
- Press MENU, highlight
Offset and press ENTER. This
displays the Line or Area Offset screen on which you
should enter the following parameters:
Direction: Location of the feature with respect to your
actual path. To input a value for
Direction, press
ENTER, choose one of the two options (Right or
Left) and press ENTER again. Press the down arrow
to move the cursor to the next field.
Horz. Distance: Horizontal distance to the feature from
your current position. To input a value for
tance
, press ENTER and increment or decrement the
Horz. Dis-
highlighted number using the up/down arrows. To
edit another digit, use the left/right arrows. When you
are done, press ENTER again. Press the down arrow
to move the cursor to the next field.
Vert. Distance: Vertical distance to the feature from
your current position (“0” if the feature and yourself
are at the same elevation -on a flat area). Enter a
value for
tance
Vert. Distance as described above for Horz. Dis-
. When you are done, press ENTER again.
- Then press ESC to return to the Logging screen. This
writes the offset into memory, but you can edit it later
if you like by going through the same process. If you
close the feature and return to the Map screen, you
will see that the feature is offset from your position in
the middle of the screen.
17
To operate the grid map-
ping utility, you will need
a measurement device -
anything from a depth
sounder to a ruler, your
own sense of smell or
your ability to make
visual observations. You
will also need a compass.
North
Heading
Column
How a grid is defined in
Spacing
Row
MobileMapper
9. Logging GIS Data on a Preset Grid Network
MobileMapper's grid mapping utility is an easy way to
automatically set up a series of GPS waypoints to facilitate the logging of data in an orthogonal grid. This utility
assures that you gather measurements made using field
sensors such as chemical detectors, depth sounders and
magnetometers at an evenly distributed set of locations.
This in turn assures the creation in your GIS of contour
maps with a prescribed density of data and without any
gaps that might force you to return to the field.
To log GIS data on a preset grid, do the following:
- Navigate to the waypoint of the grid where you
want to begin logging data: If you have created a
waypoint to help you locate the first grid point, you
can use any of MobileMapper's navigation screens to
get there. To access a waypoint file you can use to
navigate to the point of beginning, press the MENU
button and select the GOTO option. Then select the
User option. This will place the waypoint symbol and
label on the base map displayed on the receiver's Map
screen. Again, you may use any of MobileMapper's
navigation screens to arrive at this waypoint.
- Display the grid: Once you arrive at the point of
beginning, you should open up the job file that
includes the feature library describing the grid. If you
opened an existing job, press LOG to take you to the
New Feature screen. Then select the grid feature type
listed on the screen. Usually the term “grid” is
included somewhere in the feature name so that you
can easily recognize this type of feature. After selecting the grid feature, the Grid Setup screen appears on
which you can read the definition of the grid (spacing, columns, rows and heading).
18
It is also possible to navigate to any grid waypoint
(or any location for that
matter) on the Map
screen by moving the
arrow key over another
grid waypoint and press-
ing ENTER. After you
record data at this loca-
tion, the Next Pt field may
still be selected to go to
the next grid waypoint in
the network.
- Record an observation or measurement: With the
OK field highlighted, just press ENTER. This takes
you to the Logging screen that indicates that you
have begun logging data to the feature and that the
receiver is ready to log the feature's attributes.
Remember that you remain stationary for all point
features. Describe the feature as you would any other
point feature.
- Navigate to the next grid point: When you have finished recording the first point feature, you can select
Next Pt at the bottom left to navigate to the next grid
waypoint and record the next point feature within the
grid. This takes you to the Map screen where you can
see your current position marked by the arrow and
the next grid waypoint highlighted with a “crossed
box” target symbol. Small red circles indicate the
locations of all the unvisited grid waypoints. The
locations of where you recorded point feature are
indicated by small black squares.
As you begin moving toward the target symbol, you
will see your heading indicated by the direction of the
arrow marking your position. Adjust your movement
as necessary until you are positioned over the target
symbol. You may also use any of the other navigation
screens available with MobileMapper. The Arrival
alarm is disabled when navigating to grid waypoints.
It is best to note your distance to the next waypoint
and stop when this value goes to zero. When you
arrive at the next grid point, press the LOG button
and you will see the same Logging screen you used
for the earlier measurement or observation.
19
Each grid waypoint is a geographic coordinate you
should make every effort to occupy so that the data
you record is evenly spaced and complete. However,
each grid waypoint is merely an aid for navigating to
the ideal location for an observation or measurement.
All the data you record is ascribed to the position of
the MobileMapper receiver and NOT to the grid waypoint. If you cannot physically occupy this waypoint,
but can make the necessary visual observation, you
should do so and record an offset estimating the distance and bearing to the grid waypoint. If you are
recording measurements made by an instrument, you
should NOT record an offset but rather try to make a
recording as close as possible to the position.
- When you have occupied as many of the grid way-
points as you can and recorded the necessary observations and measurements at each, highlight the
field at the bottom of the Logging screen and press
ENTER. This closes the grid feature and returns you
to the New Feature selection screen where you may
either log data to another feature, even to another
grid, or close the entire job.
10.Changing the Parameters of a Grid Network Before
Logging GIS Data
When you navigate to the location of the grid, you may
decide to readjust the size and orientation of the grid
based on field observations that you did not foresee back
in the office. For example, you may find that navigating
to waypoints with an east-west orientation is not feasible
if the area of interest is situated on a narrow strip of land
between two north-south running streams.
When you change the definition of a grid, MobileMapper
always assumes that you are standing in the corner of the
grid from which you can see the grid extend in front of
you and to the right.
Close
20
Grid Setup screen
North
(Heading= 0°)
North
Heading=21°
Column
In the two examples
Columns=8
Spacing
Row
Rows=6
Column
Row
Spacing
above:
In the open job, do the following:
- On the Feature List screen, select the grid feature and
press ENTER. On the Grid Setup screen that is now
displayed, set the parameters listed below.
Spacing: Distance between any two consecutive way-
points in any row or column (default: 50 meters or
100 feet, depending on the units used)
Columns: Number of waypoints along the axis facing
you (default: 10; Max.: 100)
Rows: Number of waypoints along the axis perpendic-
ular to the direction you are facing (default: 10; Max.:
100)
Heading: Direction you face when the grid’s columns
extend in front of you and the rows extend to your
right.
To change the above parameters, use the up/down
arrows to move the cursor to each of these fields,
press ENTER, use the up/down arrows to increment/
decrement the highlighted figure, use the right/left
arrows to highlight the next/previous digit in the
field. When you are done with the definition of a
field, press ENTER. Then press the down/up arrow to
access the next field, etc.
Once these parameters have been changed, highlight
OK at the bottom of the screen and press ENTER
- This takes you to the Logging screen from which you
an start logging data as explained previously.
11.Closing a Job
To close a job, all you have to do is open up another job
or turn the receiver off. To open another job, use the
Job
option after pressing the MENU button.
Open
21
MobileMapper is also
capable of providing 3-m
horizontal accuracy
using real-time differen-
tial corrections from its
built-in WAAS/EGNOS
receiver. You must be in
North American to make
use of the free WAAS sig-
nal broadcast by the US
Federal Aviation Admin-
istration. You must be in
Europe to make use of
the free EGNOS signal
broadcast by the Euro-
pean Union. If you are
receiving a WAAS or
EGNOS signal, a “W”
appears on the screen.
GPS quality indicators
Tracking 3 satellites will
allow you to calculate a
2D position (lat/lon)
using the last altitude
recorde d by th e receiver.
You need to track at least
4 satellites to get a 3D
position (lat/lon/altitude)
GPS Accuracy
MobileMapper provides better than 10-m autonomous accuracy around the globe assuming the receiver is tracking five
GPS satellites and the PDOP < 4 (which is almost all the
time).
If you average positions for a point feature for a few minutes,
even better accuracy is possible.
MobileMapper will warn you if your accuracy of your positions has cropped below the level you selected during Setup
(see page 54,
Alarms option). If you see this warning you may
press the ESC button and continue logging. However, if you
are recording line or area features, you might want to return
to the field when the GPS satellites are in a better configuration overhead (the constellation changes slowly but constantly). And if you are recording a point feature, you should
strongly consider moving to another location with better satellite reception and recording an offset (distance and bearing) to the feature.
GPS Quality Indicators
On each logging screen as well as on the Satellite Status
screen, you can see at the bottom two numbers that give you
a good indication of how accurate your positions should be.
The first is the number of satellites that the receiver is tracking.
The second number is the Positional Dilution of Precision,
which is an estimate of accuracy that the receiver constantly
calculates using the geometry of satellites in the sky. The
more satellites that are being tracked and the more evenly
they are distributed around the sky, the better the accuracy.
PDOP values less than 4 or 5 are good. If the PDOP value is
over 10, you should consider moving to an area with a clearer view of the sky and recording features with offsets.
22
Job List screen
Note that you are not
prompted to select a fea-
ture library when you
select an existing job.
This is because the
library that was selected
when the job was created
is necessarily the one
that must be used for the
job when re-opening this
job
Revisiting and Updating Existing GPS/GIS Jobs
You can use MobileMapper not only to position and describe new GIS features but also to update information gathered previously. This is particularly useful when collecting
data on things that change over time: streetlight bulbs burn
out, new roads are added to housing developments, new
crops are planted, etc.
1. General Procedure
After you have arrived in the area of the job to be reviewed,
after you have turned on MobileMapper and made sure it
calculates your position, follow the procedure below to revisit and update this job.
- Press the LOG button, select the
and press ENTER. MobileMapper lists all the jobs
present in its memory.
- Press the down arrow to highlight the name of the job
you want to update and press ENTER. MobileMapper
displays the navigation screen that was last used.
- Unless this screen is already displayed, press NAV
repeatedly until the Map screen is displayed. From this
screen, you will now indicate the first feature you want
to revisit. If necessary, press the IN or OUT button to
adjust the scale so you can see this feature.
- Press any arrow key to switch to the cursor mode on the
Map screen and then use the arrow keys to move the cursor over the feature you want to revisit first. It’s a good
idea to keep the Map info visible on the screen as it tells
you exactly when the feature is selected. (The feature
name appears in the lower part of the screen when the
cursor is positioned over the feature.)
- When this happens, press ENTER. The Selected screen
is now displayed showing the attribute values currently
ascribed to the feature. Note that the
lighted at the bottom of the screen.
Open Existing Job option
Goto field is high-
Selected screen
23
Map screen showing
straight line to target
- Press ENTER to ask MobileMapper to guide you to this
feature. If you simply press ENTER, you will make the
selected feature your destination and all the navigation
screens will be set to help you reach that feature. Press
NAV to access any of these screens. On the Map screen,
you can now see a straight line connecting your current
destination to the selected feature.
- Walk to the feature according to the navigation instructions provided on the Map screen. You can use other navigation screens if you prefer (see also Navigation Screens
chapter from page 26). You will know when you are
close to the feature when the distance to the feature goes
to zero or close to zero, or simply because you can identify it visually. Another nice way of being informed that
you have arrived at the feature is to set the
Alarms option
(see explanations on page 54)
- After arriving at the feature, press the LOG button. This
takes you back to the Selected screen.
- Now that you are near the feature, highlight the
Edit field
and press ENTER. You are now allowed to edit each of
the feature’s attributes.
- After reviewing the attributes that need to be changed,
highlight the
Close field at the bottom of the screen and
press ENTER. This ends the review of this feature and
displays the Map screen again.
- Follow the same 7 steps described above to revisit and
update the other features present in the job.
24
Loading...